Istanbul Restaurants

This city is a food lover's town and restaurants abound, from humble kebab joints to fancy fish venues, with a variety of excellent options in between. Owing to its location on the Bosphorus, which connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, Istanbul is famous for its seafood. A classic Istanbul meal, usually eaten at one of the city's rollicking meyhanes (literally "drinking places"), starts off with a wide selection of tapas-style cold appetizers called meze, then a hot starter or two, and then moves on to a main course of grilled fish, all of it accompanied by the anise-flavored spirit rak?, Turkey's national drink. The waiter will generally bring a tray over to your table to show off the day’s meze and you simply point to what you’d like. Note that the portions you get are often larger than the samples shown on the tray, so don’t over-order; you can always select a second—or third—round later. When it comes to the main course, fish can be expensive, so check prices and ask what's in season before ordering. In Istanbul, fall and winter are the best seasons for seafood.

Istanbul's dining scene, though diverse, was once mostly limited to Turkish cooking, but a new generation of chefs is successfully fusing local dishes with more international flavors and preparations. Some are trained in the United States and Europe and bring home the contemporary culinary techniques they've learned abroad, and the result is a kind of nouvelle Turkish cuisine. Interest in little-known specialty foods and regional dishes from around Turkey is also taking hold, as chefs increasingly look at home, rather than abroad, for inspiration. Over the past few years, a handful of restaurants have opened where the chef-owner defines the vision and personality of the venue—though this may be old hat in Europe or North America, it represents an exciting new trend in Istanbul.

Istanbullus take their eating seriously, holding establishments to a very high standard; they expect their food to be fresh and well prepared at even the most basic of eateries, and are likely to feel that few places can hold a candle to "Mom’s cooking." That said, at restaurants catering to a trendier, more upscale crowd, style sometimes seems to pass for substance, and consistency can be elusive; the fanciest venues may not necessarily offer the best food.

Sultanahmet might have most of the city's major sights and many hotels, but sadly, these places cater mostly to tourists and are the ones most likely to let their standards slip. Save for a few standouts, the area is sorely lacking in good dining options, though you can find some good food if you follow the locals to the no-frills eateries lining Gedik Pa?a Caddesi (near the Beyaz?t tram stop, across Yeniçeriler Caddesi from the entrance to the Grand Bazaar) or to Hoca Pa?a Sokak near the Sirkeci train station. Overall, though, you'll have much better luck if you head across the Golden Horn, where the lively Beyo?lu district has everything from holes in the wall serving delicious home cooking to some of Istanbul's sleekest restaurants, while Karaköy and Galata also have an increasing range of dining options. Or head to some of the small, charming neighborhoods along the Bosphorus, which are famous for their fish restaurants; while these establishments tend to be more upscale and expensive, there are some affordable options as well.

Since Istanbullus love to go out, reservations are essential at most of the city's better restaurants. In summer, many establishments move their dining areas outdoors, and reservations become even more important if you want to snag a coveted outside table. For the most part, dining is casual, although locals enjoy dressing smartly when they're out. You may feel terribly underdressed if you show up in a restaurant dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, even in summer.

Despite Islamic proscriptions against alcohol, beer, wine, and the local spirit rak? are widely available, and at more upscale venues you can also find cocktails. Because of high taxes, however, alcoholic drinks—particularly anything imported—tend to be considerably more expensive than in North America or Europe. The national lager Efes is the most widely available beer; venues may carry two or three other domestic and international labels, but don’t expect a wide selection. Yeni Rak?, a state-run monopoly until not long ago, has remained the most popular rak? brand despite a recent proliferation of new companies producing the spirit. Wine consumption in Turkey has traditionally lagged far behind that of beer and rak?, but that’s been slowly changing in recent years as the quality of local wines has started to improve. The local wine industry is still in its fledgling stages compared to other parts of the world, but there are some very drinkable domestic wines on the market, most priced at only a fraction of what you’d pay for an imported label. Turkish wines are made from foreign grapes as well as indigenous varietals, of which the most noteworthy are the reds Öküzgözü, Bo?azkere, and Kalecik Karas? and the whites Emir and Narince.

During the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, restaurants that cater primarily to tourists, and most venues in cosmopolitan parts of Istanbul such as Beyo?lu, continue to operate normally. In more traditional neighborhoods some restaurants close altogether or change their hours of operation. In recent years, it has become increasingly popular to go to restaurants for iftar—the evening meal that breaks the daily fast—instead of having it in the home, as was traditionally done.

Sort by: 11 Recommendations {{numTotalPoiResults}} {{ (numTotalPoiResults===1)?'Recommendation':'Recommendations' }} 0 Recommendations
CLEAR ALL Area Search CLEAR ALL
Loading...
  • 1. Casita

    $$$ | Nisantasi

    This charming little restaurant is best known for its mantı—a ravioli-like Turkish pasta traditionally stuffed with ground meat—and specifically Feraye (a name the restaurant has trademarked), a fried variation filled with cheese and spinach, potato and cheese, or chicken. The atmosphere is casual, and diners can either sit at sidewalk tables on a lively pedestrian side street lined with other restaurants and shops or at tables looking onto a quiet garden in the back.

    Atiye Sok. 3, Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey
    212-327–8293

    Known For

    • Outdoor seating
    • Laid-back vibe
    • Café food with a modern Turkish twist
  • 2. Cup of Joy

    $ | Nisantasi | Coffee

    This airy café-bakery, filled with lush green plants and big greenhouse-style windows, has an extensive menu of coffees, sweets, and brunch foods.

    Şair Nigar Sok 11, Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey
    212-231–4831

    Known For

    • Spacious outdoor seating
    • Stylish atmosphere
    • Fresh-made brunch selections
  • 3. Elde Börek

    $ | Besiktas

    This Beşiktaş restaurant is a family affair, serving home-cooked Turkish cuisine with a twist and run by a brother-sister-mother team. Like a typical Turkish lokanta (a cafeteria-style restaurant, usually for workers), the food is prepared ahead of time, and you can choose many options to fill your plate.

    Ihlamurdere Cad. 23, Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey
    212-259–7531

    Known For

    • Home-cooked-style food
    • Seasonal ingredients
    • Casual atmosphere

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 4. Minoa

    $$ | Besiktas

    This brasserie-in-a-bookstore is a cozy place to enjoy a coffee surrounded by an extensive collection of Turkish and English-language books. The menu has a wide range of breakfast and lunch options.

    Süleyman Seba Cad. 52, Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey
    212-236–9452
  • 5. Montag Bomonti

    $ | Nisantasi | Coffee

    Located just a short walk from the Bomontiada culture complex, Montag Bomonti pays attention to the details, with beans roasted in-house and impeccably pulled espresso.

    Silahşör Cad. 65, Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey
    530-090–6998

    Known For

    • Stylish atmosphere
    • Coffee beans roasted in-house
    • Coffee cocktails
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Kantin

    $$ | Nisantasi
    Closed Permanently

    A sort of Turkish Alice Waters, Şemza Denizsel finds the freshest ingredients for her daily menus, written on chalkboards, that feature simply prepared but delicious Turkish dishes emphasizing meat and vegetables. Prices are a bit high for the portion size, but you're paying for local, mostly organic foods, such as sourdough bread made with heirloom Anatolian wheat. The venue is especially popular at lunchtime with local professionals; if you can't land a seat in the upstairs dining rooms or on the pleasant backyard deck, consider making a picnic from the side dishes and delectable baked goods sold at Kantin's food shop (the just-below-street-level entrance is separate from the restaurant); there's another branch of the shop only in Bebek (Cevdetpaşa Cad. 43/C) as well. No alcohol is served.

    Akkavak Sok. 30, Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey
    212-219–3114

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Reservations not accepted
  • 7. Banyan

    $$$$ | Nisantasi | Asian
    Closed Permanently

    Until recently Istanbul's vibrant dining scene was sorely lacking in Asian food, which is why Banyan's arrival in 2003 was so welcome. The restaurant, which has a soothing dining room with long banquettes, serves traditional Asian fare, including a variety of dim sum and beef in orange sauce, but the kitchen also makes use of regional ingredients to create tantalizing modern dishes such as filet mignon marinated in sake, and octopus satay with a ginger-soy sauce. A branch in Ortaköy has a terrace that looks out on the Bosphorus and serves more substantial fare, at higher prices ($$$–$$$$).

    Abdi İpekçi Cad. 36, Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey
    212-219–6011
  • 8. Corvus Bite & Bistro

    $$ | Besiktas
    Closed Permanently

    The tasty, distinctive fare (“hummus” made with green peas and mint, risotto with Jerusalem artichokes, or salmon with orange juice–infused fennel) make this spinoff of a popular Bozcaada winery well worth a visit even when the signature wines themselves can be a bit hit-or-miss. Heartier dishes like lamb chops and burgers are also served in the sleek dining rooms and lively sidewalk seating area, and there’s an affordable set menu offered each day at lunchtime.

    Şair Nedim Cad. 5, Istanbul, Istanbul, 34357, Turkey
    212-260–5470

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 9. Gile

    $$$$ | Besiktas
    Closed Permanently

    In upscale Akaretler row, Gile is helmed by two rising chefs whose avant-garde Turkish cuisine incorporates sophisticated gastronomic techniques and ingredients sourced from around the country to create complex (often deconstructed) dishes for a seasonally changing menu. Standout appetizers include lamb loin wrapped in a delicate baklava phyllo dough and served with hummus and pureed eggplant, while ambitious mains include rock bass with a tomato sauce and creamy potato foam. Gile offers a diverse, primarily Turkish wine list, and there's a more casual menu at lunch. Original art pieces and custom-made ceramics by noteworthy Turkish artists complement the smart, intimate dining room.

    Şair Nedim Cad. 14, Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey
    212-327–1166

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Reservations essential
  • 10. Hatay Antakya Mutfağı

    $ | Besiktas
    Closed Permanently

    This tiny restaurant turns out dishes with big flavors from Turkey’s southeast: spicy kebabs (including regional specialities like Arap kebabı, ground meat cooked with onions, tomatoes, peppers, and parsley) and lahmacun, as well as assorted meze. Eat in the cheery, homey dining room or at one of the small tables arrayed street-side.

    Şair Nedim Cad. 20, Istanbul, Istanbul, 34353, Turkey
    212-236–3985

    Known For

    • Regional Turkish cuisine
    • Outdoor seating
    • Laid-back atmosphere
  • 11. Sıdıka Meze Restoranı

    $$$ | Besiktas
    Closed Permanently

    Sıdıka, with its cheerful, welcoming ambience, offers stellar Aegean-influenced starters and fish dishes at reasonable prices. Unique mezes include a delicious spread made from feta, pistachio, and garlic; seasonal daily specials could include artichoke hearts with fava bean puree; simple but tasty main-course fish dishes, such as grilled sea bass fillets wrapped in vine leaves, are especially recommendable.

    Şair Nedim Cad. 38, Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey
    212-259–7232

    Known For

    • Seasonal Aegean cuisine
    • Cozy, casual atmosphere
    • Wide selection of meze

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Reservations essential

No Restaurants Results

Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:

There are no results for {{ strDestName}} Restaurants in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:

Recommended Fodor’s Video